The Florentine Boar

For the last three years, every time we went to Whitstable to visit the Potters, we went past The Boar out in front of Warehams antique store.

Every time, I said:  "I want to look into his eyes.  I want to sit on his back and have my picture taken."

So, finally I get my big chance . . . only to find out they SOLD HIM!!  He was gone!!!

Obviously, I was heartbroken.  Luckily, Naomi had this picture she'd taken ages ago, so I can share him with you. 

FYI:  Apparently, there are similar boar statues to be found.  Howard Castle has a Boar statue.   A marble copy of the Florentine Boar is at the Louvre.   The original was an ancient Greek marble statue, which was probably part of a larger group of statues creating a hunting scene.  On doing a Google search, there are many of them around, most a bit different from the fellow at Warehams.

Cheers!
x

Whitstable

Today Naomi and I went to Whitstable.  Whitstable is a lovely little beach town, northeast of Faversham. 

The sun was shining; the temperature was a perfect 68 degrees.  Since it was a non-holiday Monday, the High Street had just the right amount of shoppers.  It was brilliant!

We went into loads of shops.  Whitstable has a lot of self-representing artists, so there are all these cute one-room galleries along the street.  The town also has a lot of Charity Shops.   These are little stores dedicated to raising money for charity.  All the goods are donated, and the people working in the shops are volunteers.  I love going into Charity Shops -- it's like flea market heaven.  You never know what you are going to find. I've bagged some fantastic goodies:  A huge, gorgeous, spotless white quilt for £10.  Glassware.  Books.  DVDs. 

I've poked around Salvation Army and Deseret Industries stores back in the States.  They aren't bad, but I've never found anything I wanted to buy.  In contrast, the quality of a British Charity Shop simply cannot be beat.  Think upscale, street-wide yard sale in the rich section of town!    ;)

Oh, and I bought a pair of Wellies.  Wellies (aka Wellingtons), are rubbery boots, perfect for the rainy weather, for the Marshes, and for combing the beach when the tide is out.  Can't wait to try them out!

Cheers!
x